Basketball Terms Explained: Traveling, Pick-and-Roll, and Triple-Double

Tap a term to see what it means.

Traveling

A violation where a player holding the ball takes more steps than allowed without dribbling, resulting in a turnover to the other team.

Double Dribble

A violation where a player stops dribbling and then starts again, or dribbles with both hands at the same time.

Pick-and-Roll

A classic offensive play where one player sets a screen to block a defender (the "pick") while a teammate cuts toward the basket through the opening created (the "roll").

Alley-Oop

A flashy play where one player tosses the ball through the air and a teammate jumps to catch it mid-air and immediately finish with a dunk or shot.

Triple-Double

Reaching double digits in three of the five major statistical categories — points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks — in a single game, a hallmark of a well-rounded performance.

Technical Foul

A foul called for unsportsmanlike conduct not involving physical contact — such as arguing with a referee or using abusive language — which awards the opposing team free throws.

Shot Clock

A time limit within which the team with possession must attempt a shot, introduced to keep the pace of the game fast.

Knowing the Terms Makes the Game More Fun

Learning the terms that come up constantly during broadcasts lets you go beyond just watching the score, helping you understand players' tactics and the reasoning behind calls — and enjoy the game on a much deeper level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Exactly how many steps counts as traveling?

The general standard is that taking two or more steps after lifting your pivot foot while holding the ball counts as traveling.

How difficult is it to achieve a triple-double?

Since it requires reaching double digits simultaneously in three separate categories — points, rebounds, and assists — it demands exceptional all-around ability, making it a difficult feat even for top-tier players.